GPS threats are increasing at a record rate
Escalating conflicts around the world are undermining GPS reliability as a surge of interference attacks continues to impact vast areas of Europe and the Middle East, causing significant disruptions for civilians. At the same time, more criminals increasingly use jammers for drug trafficking, cargo truck thefts and other criminal operations in North America. Sporadic GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have disrupted key American airports in recent years. Even everyday American citizens are now purchasing low-cost retail jammers as privacy fears and anti-government conspiracy theories spread.
For an extended period, security analysts have been sounding the alarm regarding the potential for targeted attacks on GPS, which could jeopardize the financial system, power grid, air traffic control, and emergency services. While there is an increasing call for the establishment of alternative GPS capabilities, it is equally important to confront another significant issue that requires attention.
The establishment of an automated national detection system is critically needed in the United States to detect GPS interference as it occurs and to produce precise real-time maps that illustrate the areas experiencing such interference.
The lack of an integrated, real-time system for detecting high-precision jamming and spoofing is a notable limitation in our satellite navigation capabilities, which compromises the safety of American government, commercial, and emergency operations within the country.
Tracking emitters
Pinpointing the actual source of an interference attack, identified as the emitter, is critical for the timely and effective implementation of countermeasures, including the disabling of the jammer to restore navigation functionality.
By identifying the emitter, one can ascertain the exact point of interference, evaluate where it is likely to have the most considerable impact, and determine which assets are at the greatest risk.
In any case, the accurate identification of emitters using conventional ground-based sensors is frequently problematic. One of the primary challenges is that jammers often utilize low-power signals, which are inherently more difficult to detect from a distance and may reflect off various surfaces, including buildings, cars, and trees. The frequent movement of mobile jammers adds another layer of difficulty to tracking them. Additionally, advanced jammers may incorporate countermeasures such as omnidirectional antennas and frequency hopping, which complicate triangulation efforts.
Utilizing a smartphone-based detection system would markedly increase the number of sensors involved in tracking the emitter. A dense configuration of detection points would enable faster and more precise detection, confirmation, and aggregation of information about signal location in real time, even with the emitter's relocation. Prior studies have indicated that extensive networks of mobile devices can effectively monitor the ionosphere in real time, leading to improved positioning accuracy.
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